Off the wire

GOLF

Larrazabal holds three-shot lead

Pablo Larrazabal kept his threeshot lead at the Alfred Dunhill Championship on Saturday ahead of the final round of the European Tour’s 2020 season-opener. Larrazabal’s 2-under 70 in the third round put him 11 under par and kept him ahead of Wil Besseling (70). South African home favorite Branden Grace (71), the 2014 champion, slipped a shot further back to third on 7 under. Larrazabal made five birdies but also three bogeys on another tough day at Leopard Creek Country Club in Malelane, South Africa, where players have faced scorching temperatures pushing 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) and gusting winds. Those high temperatures convinced the tour to allow players to wear shorts in tournament play for the first time. Former Masters champion Charl Schwartzel is making a solid return after an eightmonth injury layoff because of a wrist problem. A 70 put him 4 under and in a tie for sixth at the tournament he’s won a record four times.

Johnson to skip Bahamas event

Dustin Johnson has withdrawn from the Hero World Challenge next week in the Bahamas so he can be better prepared for the Presidents Cup. Johnson had arthroscopic surgery on his left knee on Sept. 5 to repair cartilage damage. He has not played since Aug. 25 at the Tour Championship. Johnson says his recovery from the routine surgery is complete. He says another week of therapy and practice was needed to be ready for the Presidents Cup, which starts Dec. 12-15 at Royal Melbourne in Australia. Johnson says he has told Tiger Woods, the tournament host next week and the playing captain in Australia. He says Woods supports his decision. Chez Reavie was the next available player to replace Johnson in the 18-man field.

FOOTBALL Lions place Driskel on IR

The Detroit Lions have put quarterback Jeff Driskel on injured reserve. The Lions were already without injured quarterback Matthew Stafford, and then Driskel missed Thursday’s loss to the Chicago Bears with a hamstring injury. David Blough made his NFL debut at quarterback.